Many people and small businesses are confused by Obamacare. More than 50 percent of small businesses are still confused about the mandate and more than 60 percent of them can’t explain the healthcare exchanges to their employees. Since there is a lot of confusion out there, scammers are trying to find out as much information as they possibly can in order to take advantage of consumers.

The BBB and the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud are seeing a rise in the amount of Obamacare-related scams. Scammers are looking to obtain personal and financial information such as credit card or Social Security numbers. There are false websites and emails, signup cons and Medicare scams that have been circulating. Elderly and other consumers are the ones that are being hit with these scams, but some small businesses might also be weak when it comes to protecting themselves. Find out how to stay away from the traps.

1.  Understand how the new act impacts your business – When it comes to Obamacare, knowledge is power. You want to find out as much as possible when it comes to protecting your business. If you have an understanding of what is out there and what is expected, you’re less likely to be pulled into any of the scams.
2. Unsolicited emails, texts or calls should be taken with caution – A lot of scams go through email, phone or text messages and involve scaring recipients into giving out their personal and financial information. The government will not do this; if they want to get a hold of you, they will send letters through the mail. The government will also already have all of this information that’s being asked for. Don’t trust what the caller ID says; scammers can change the name and number to display something more desirable.
3. Look out for website or phishing scams – A lot of websites that provide information on Obamacare might look official, but are not. A lot of these scam websites have been shut down by the government, but it is always possible that more will surface. These websites usually only take your financial information without actually giving you any in-depth information. If you’re unfamiliar with the site, don’t give out any personal or financial information.
4. Work with a broker that you trust – A health-insurance broker can provide you with more information and point you in the right direction. A vendor can also advise you on where to look for health insurance and to make sure it is not a scammer’s website.